2021 Arizona Wildcats baseball team


The 2021 Arizona Wildcats baseball team represented the University of Arizona during the 2021 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Wildcats played their home games for the 10th season at Hi Corbett Field. The team was coached by Jay Johnson in his 6th season and final season at Arizona. Following the season, Coach Johnson was hired as the head baseball coach at Louisiana State University. The Wildcats ranked 10th in Collegiate Baseball's preseason poll[2] - their highest preseason ranking in any poll since 2013 - and their incoming recruiting class was ranked 4th in the nation by D1Baseball.[3] On May 23, the Wildcats clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 Championship for the first time since the 2012 season that saw the team win the College World Series.[4] Following a 3-11 loss by the Oregon Ducks to the California Golden Bears on May 28, the team clinched their first outright Pac-12 title since 1989.[5] On May 30, Hi Corbett Field was selected as one of the NCAA's 16 postseason Regional sites for the first time since 2012. The following day the Wildcats were selected as the tournaments No. 5 overall seed - their first selection as a top 8 seed since the implementation of the current seeding system in 1999 - marking their first postseason appearance since 2017.[6] On June 6, the Wildcats defeated UC Santa Barbara 5-2 to win the Tucson Regional and advance to their first Super Regional since 2016 when the team forged their way to the College World Series finals. The Wildcats would go on to defeat Ole Miss 2 games to 1, to advance to their 18th College World Series appearance all-time. They subsequently were eliminated in two games, losing to the defending champion from 2019, No. 4 seed Vanderbilt as well as Stanford.

2021 Arizona Wildcats baseball
ConferencePac-12 Conference
CBNo. 6
Record45–18 (21–9 Pac-12)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Nate Yeskie (2nd season)
  • Dave Lawn (6th season)
  • Marc Wanaka (6th season)
Home stadiumHi Corbett Field
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Pac-12 Conference baseball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 5 Arizona  ‍‍‍y 21 9   .700 45 18   .714
No. 10 Oregon ‍‍‍y 20 10   .667 39 16   .709
No. 7 Stanford ‍‍‍y 17 10   .630 39 17   .696
No. 21 UCLA ‍‍‍y 18 12   .600 37 20   .649
Arizona State ‍‍‍y 16 14   .533 33 22   .600
Oregon State ‍‍‍y 16 14   .533 37 24   .607
California ‍‍‍ 15 15   .500 29 26   .527
Washington State ‍‍‍ 13 17   .433 26 23   .531
USC ‍‍‍ 13 17   .433 25 26   .490
Utah ‍‍‍ 7 23   .233 17 33   .340
Washington ‍‍‍ 6 21   .222 20 30   .400
† – Conference champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of June 23, 2021[1]
Rankings from D1Baseball

Previous season

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The Wildcats began the 2020 season 10–5, good for a tie for third-place in the Pac-12 prior to the NCAA's decision to cancel the season on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the season's cancellation, all Division I college baseball players were granted an extra year of eligibility.[7]

Personnel

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Roster

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2021 Arizona Wildcats roster[8]
  Pitchers

• 4 - Gil Luna - Junior

• 12 - Garrett Irvin - Junior

• 14 - Jonathan Guardado - Junior

• 18 - Austin Smith - Junior

• 20 - Bryce Collins - Freshman

• 22 - Chandler Murphy - Freshman

• 25 - TJ Nichols - Freshman

• 26 - Vince Vannelle - Senior

• 27 - Dawson Netz - Freshman

• 29 - Chase Silseth - Sophomore

• 30 - Preston Price - Senior

• 34 - Ian Churchill - Junior

• 35 - Blake Peyton - Freshman

• 36 - George Arias Jr. - Sophomore

• 37 - German Fajardo - Freshman

• 38 - Riley Cooper - Freshman

• 38 - Ryan Kysar - Freshman

• 40 - Quinn Flanagan - Sophomore

• 43 - Javyn Pimental - Freshman

• 45 - Mason Millett - Sophomore

• 47 - Hunter Cope - Freshman

• 51 - Trevor Long - Freshman

• 99 - Randy Abshier - Sophomore

Catchers

• 6 - Daniel Susac - Freshman

• 31 - Kaden Hopson - Freshman

• 50 - Cameron Laliberte - Freshman

Infielders

• 1 - Kobe Kato - Sophomore

• 3 - Tony Bullard - Sophomore

• 5 - Kyson Donahue - Freshman

• 10 - Jacob Blas - Sophomore

• 15 - Jacob Berry - Freshman

• 19 - Nik McClaughry - Sophomore

• 33 - TJ Curd - Freshman

• 46 - Jack Grant - Freshman

Outfielders

• 7 - Mac Bingham - Freshman

• 8 - Chase Davis - Freshman

• 13 - Tyler Casagrande - Sophomore

• 16 - Kyle Casper - Freshman

• 17 - Branden Boissiere - Sophomore

• 23 - Donta Williams - Junior

• 28 - Blake Paugh - Junior

• 42 - Ryan Holgate - Sophomore

• 44 - Tanner O'Tremba - Freshman

• 52 - Tag Bross - Freshman

Utility

• 24 - Jacob Shaver - Freshman

Coaches

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2021 Arizona Wildcats baseball coaching staff[9]
  • Jay Johnson - Head Coach
  • Nate Yeskie - Assistant Coach
  • Dave Lawn - Assistant Coach
  • Marc Wanaka - Volunteer Assistant Coach

Opening day

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Opening Day Starters[10]
Name Position
Donta Williams Center fielder
Jacob Blas Shortstop
Kobe Kato Second baseman
Branden Boissiere First baseman
Ryan Holgate Designated hitter
Daniel Susac Catcher
Tyler Casagrande Right fielder
Jacob Berry Third baseman
Mac Bingham Left fielder
Chase Silseth Starting pitcher

Schedule and results

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2021 Arizona Wildcats baseball game log[11][12][13]
Regular season
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Overall

Record

Pac-12

Record

Feb 19 Ball State #10 Hi Corbett FieldTucson, AZ W 3-0 Silseth (1-0) Weatherly (0-1) Vannelle (1) 1-0
Feb 20 Ball State #10 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 7-8 Baker (1-0) Churchill (0-1) None 1-1
Feb 21 Ball State #10 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 2-5 Ruetschle (1-0) Flanagan (0-1) Orselli (1) 1-2
Feb 22 Ball State #24 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 11-5 Nichols (1-0) Johnson (0-1) None 2-2
Feb 25 Southeastern Louisiana #24 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 7-4 Silseth (2-0) Kinzeler (0-1) Price (1) 3-2
Feb 26 Southeastern Louisiana #24 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 13-11 Murphy (1-0) Shaffer (1-1) Vannelle (2) 4-2
Feb 27 Southeastern Louisiana #24 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 4-3 Long (1-0) Bartley (0-1) Flanagan (1) 5-2
Feb 28 Southeastern Louisiana #24 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 14-2 Nichols (2-0) Upton (1-1) None 6-2
Mar 4 vs Oklahoma #24 Dr Pepper BallparkFrisco, TX W 20-13 Vannelle (1-0) Taggart (0-1) None 7-2
Mar 5 vs Oklahoma #24 Dr Pepper Ballpark • Frisco, TX W 12-1 Murphy (2-0) Olds (0-1) None 8-2
Mar 6 vs Dallas Baptist #24 Dr Pepper Ballpark • Frisco, TX W 15-8 Vannelle (2-0) Sagedahl (0-1) Flanagan (2) 9-2
Mar 7 vs Missouri #24 Dr Pepper Ballpark • Frisco, TX W 8-4 Nichols (3-0) Hise (0-2) None 10-2
Mar 11 Wichita State #13 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 8-5 Silseth (3-0) Eddy (1-2) Price (2) 11-2
Mar 12 Wichita State #13 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 9-10 Stuempfig (2-0) Vannelle (2-1) Haase (3) 11-3
Mar 13 Wichita State - Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ Cancelled - - - - -
Mar 13 Air Force #13 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 2-5 Fairburn (2-2) Irvin (0-1) Skenes (2) 11-4
Mar 14 Wichita State - Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ Cancelled - - - - -
Mar 14 Air Force #13 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 14-5 Price (1-0) Shuger (0-1) None 12-4
Mar 19 at #15 UCLA #21 Jackie Robinson StadiumLos Angeles, CA L 2-3 Mullen (4-0) Price (1-1) None 12-5 0-1
Mar 20 at #15 UCLA #21 Jackie Robinson Stadium • Los Angeles, CA W 7-3 Cooper (1-0) Mora (1-1) Vannelle (3) 13-5 1-1
Mar 21 at #15 UCLA #21 Jackie Robinson Stadium • Los Angeles, CA L 3-11 Saum (1-2) Flanagan (0-2) None 13-6 1-2
Mar 22 at Loyola Marymount #23 George C. Page Stadium • Los Angeles, CA W 18-2 Long (2-0) Paquet (0-1) None 14-6
Mar 26 #15 Oregon #23 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 5-4 Silseth (4-0) Ahlstrom (1-2) Vannelle (4) 15-6 2-2
Mar 27 #15 Oregon #23 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 15-2 Irvin (1-1) Kafka (2-1) None 16-6 3-2
Mar 28 #15 Oregon #23 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 13-18 Walker (3-1) Nichols (3-1) None 16-7 3-3
Apr 1 at #14 Arizona State #19 Phoenix Municipal StadiumPhoenix, AZ W 10-5 Murphy (3-0) Corrigan (0-1) None 17-7 4-3
Apr 2 at #14 Arizona State #19 Phoenix Municipal Stadium • Phoenix, AZ W 7-6 Vannelle (3-1) Osman (1-2) Price (3) 18-7 5-3
Apr 3 at #14 Arizona State #19 Phoenix Municipal Stadium • Phoenix, AZ L 2-3 Fall (4-1) Nichols (3-2) Levine (2) 18-8 5-4
Apr 6 #18 Arizona State #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 14-2 Abshier (1-0) Bodlovich (0-1) None 19-8
Apr 9 California #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 5-1 Silseth (5-0) Holman (0-1) None 20-8 6-4
Apr 10 California #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 4-3 Irvin (2-1) White (3-1) Abshier (1) 21-8 7-4
Apr 11 California #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 1-9 Pasqualotto (4-3) Nichols (3-3) Proctor (1) 21-9 7-5
Apr 13 at Grand Canyon #13 Brazell Field • Phoenix, AZ L 4-5 Glover (2-1) Vannelle (3-2) None 21-10
Apr 16 at Washington State #13 Bailey-Brayton FieldPullman, WA L 2-21 White (5-2) Silseth (5-1) None 21-11 7-6
Apr 17 at Washington State #13 Bailey-Brayton Field • Pullman, WA W 13-8 Irvin (3-1) Mills (3-3) Flanagan (3) 22-11 8-6
Apr 18 at Washington State #13 Bailey-Brayton Field • Pullman, WA W 14-8 Murphy (4-0) Hawkins (2-5) Vannelle (5) 23-11 9-6
Apr 20 New Mexico State #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 11-4 Abshier (2-0) Mejia (0-2) None 24-11
Apr 23 USC #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 8-5 Silseth (6-1) Esqueda (4-2) Flanagan (4) 25-11 10-6
Apr 24 USC #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 10-6 Murphy (5-0) Gursky (1-1) None 26-11 11-6
Apr 25 USC #16 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 8-4 Smith (1-0) Cornwell (4-4) Vannelle (6) 27-11 12-6
Apr 30 Utah #10 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 11-1 Silseth (7-1) Kelly (0-8) None 28-11 13-6
May 1 Utah #10 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 4-3 Cooper (2-0) Hurdsman (1-1) Vannelle (7) 29-11 14-6
May 2 Utah #10 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 15-3 Smith (2-0) Watson (2-6) None 30-11 15-6
May 4 Grand Canyon #8 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 13-2 Nichols (4-3) Markl (1-1) None 31-11
May 7 at #14 Stanford #8 Sunken DiamondStanford, CA L 4-5 Pancer (5-2) Flanagan (0-3) None 31-12 15-7
May 8 at #14 Stanford #8 Sunken Diamond • Stanford, CA W 20-2 Irvin (4-1) Mathews (4-1) None 32-12 16-7
May 9 at #14 Stanford #8 Sunken Diamond • Stanford, CA L 2-8 Williams (1-1) Smith (2-1) None 32-13 16-8
May 10 at Santa Clara - Schott StadiumSanta Clara, CA Cancelled - - - - -
May 14 Washington #11 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 17-16 Abshier (3-0) Lamb (3-2) None 33-13 17-8
May 15 Washington #11 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 4-1 Irvin (5-1) Guerrero (1-3) None 34-13 18-8
May 16 Washington #11 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 11-2 Luna (1-0) Raeth (2-2) None 35-13 19-8
May 18 New Mexico State #8 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 14-3 Murphy (6-0) Dickson Jr. (1-2) None 36-13
May 21 at Oregon State #8 Goss StadiumCorvallis, OR W 12-4 Silseth (8-1) Washburn (3-2) None 37-13 20-8
May 22 at Oregon State #8 Goss Stadium • Corvallis, OR L 1-3 Hjerpe (3-5) Irvin (5-2) Mulholland (13) 37-14 20-9
May 23 at Oregon State #8 Goss Stadium • Corvallis, OR W 6-5 Vannelle (4-2) Watkins (2-4) None 38-14 21-9
May 27 Dixie State #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 4-2 Abshier (4-0) Gonzales (2-5) Luna (1) 39-14
May 28 Dixie State #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 9-11 Hart (3-5) Flanagan (0-4) Hardman (1) 39-15
May 29 Dixie State #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 5-4 Vannelle (5-2) Gerber (1-2) None 40-15
NCAA Tucson Regional
Jun 4 (4) Grand Canyon (1) #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 12-6 Nichols (5-3) Ohl (10-2) None 41-15
Jun 5 (3) UC Santa Barbara (1) #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 4-0 Irvin (6-2) McGreevy (9-2) None 42-15
Jun 6 (3) UC Santa Barbara (1) #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 5-2 Murphy (7-0) Callahan (3-4) Vannelle (8) 43-15
NCAA Tucson Super Regional
Jun 11 #14 Ole Miss #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 9-3 Cooper (3-0) Diamond (3-5) None 44-15
Jun 12 #14 Ole Miss #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ L 3-12 Nikhazy (12-2) Irvin (6-3) Miller (1) 44-16
Jun 13 #14 Ole Miss #6 Hi Corbett Field • Tucson, AZ W 16-3 Nichols (6-3) Broadway (4-3) None 45-16
College World Series
Jun 19 #1 Vanderbilt #5 TD Ameritrade ParkOmaha, NE L 6-7 McElvain (5-1) Vannelle (5-3) None 45-17
Jun 21 #7 Stanford #5 TD Ameritrade Park • Omaha, NE L 5-14 Williams (5-2) Irvin (6-4) Palisch (2) 45-18

Tucson Regional

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Tucson Regional Teams
(1) Arizona Wildcats (4) Grand Canyon Antelopes (2) Oklahoma State Cowboys (3) UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

Tucson Super Regional

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Tucson Super Regional Teams
(5) Arizona Wildcats vs. (12) Ole Miss Rebels

College World Series

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2021 College World Series Teams
NC State Wolfpack (9) Stanford Cardinal (5) Arizona Wildcats (4) Vanderbilt Commodores Virginia Cavaliers (3) Tennessee Volunteers (7) Mississippi State Bulldogs (2) Texas Longhorns
First round Second round Semifinals Finals
               
NC State 10
9 Stanford 4
NC State 1
4 Vanderbilt 0
5 Arizona 6
4 Vanderbilt 712
NC State 1
Bracket 1
4 Vanderbilt 3 [A]
9 Stanford 14
5 Arizona 5
9 Stanford 5
4 Vanderbilt 6
4 Vanderbilt 8 2 0
7 Mississippi State 2 13 9
3 Tennessee 0
Virginia 6
Virginia 5
7 Mississippi State 6
7 Mississippi State 2
2 Texas 1
7 Mississippi State 5 4
Bracket 2
2 Texas 8 3
3 Tennessee 4
2 Texas 8
2 Texas 6
Virginia 2

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
Coaches'[15]*
Baseball America[16]
NCBWA[17]

NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

2021 MLB draft

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Player Position Round Overall MLB Team
Ryan Holgate OF 2 70 St. Louis Cardinals
Brandon Boissiere OF 3 82 Washington Nationals
Donta' Williams OF 4 106 Baltimore Orioles
Gil Luna LHP 9 275 Chicago White Sox
Chase Silseth RHP 11 321 Los Angeles Angels
Kobe Kato 2B 13 388 Houston Astros
Austin Smith RHP 18 547 Atlanta Braves

Notes

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  1. ^ Game declared no contest due to COVID-19 protocols with NC State. Vanderbilt advanced in the tournament.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Pac-12 Baseball Standings". pac-12.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  2. ^ Lev, Michael (January 25, 2021). "Arizona Wildcats rank 15th in Baseball America preseason poll". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Lindberg, Kenny (February 2, 2021). "Put 'em in Coach, Arizona Baseball is ready to play!". Zona Zealots (FanSided). Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "UA baseball team rallies past Oregon State to clinch share of Pac-12 title". Arizona Daily Star. May 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Pedersen, Brian J. (May 28, 2021). "Arizona baseball falls at home to Dixie State but still clinches outright Pac-12 title". Arizona Desert Swarm. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Pedersen, Brian J. (May 31, 2021). "Arizona baseball earns No. 5 overall seed in NCAA tournament". Arizona Desert Swarm. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Schlabach, Mark (March 30, 2020). "NCAA approves extra year of eligibility for spring athletes". ESPN. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "2021 Baseball Roster". University of Arizona Athletics. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019.
  9. ^ "2021 Baseball Roster". University of Arizona Athletics. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  10. ^ "Baseball vs Ball State on 2/19/2021 - Box Score". University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Baseball Schedule". Arizona Wildcats. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Lev, Michael (January 29, 2021). "Arizona baseball schedule features home opener vs. Ball State, Pac-12 opener at No. 2 UCLA". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Pedersen, Brian J. (January 29, 2021). "Arizona baseball releases 2021 schedule". Arizona Desert Swarm (SB Nation). Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Vanderbilt-NC State College World Series game ruled no-contest due to COVID-19 protocols". NCAA.com. June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  15. ^ "Baseball Coaches Poll". usatoday.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "College Top 25". Baseball America. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  17. ^ "NCBWA > News > Division I Poll". sportswriters.net. Archived from the original on July 24, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2021.